Trade unions are today staging protest actions at supermarket distribution centres across Belgium to show their unhappiness at stalled negotiations in their sector that are supposed to lead to the payment of a special bonus to take account of dwindling spending power. The protests are likely to affect the supply of certain products to supermarkets across the country.
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Distribution centre workers walk out: "Shortages will be felt across supermarkets"
Colin Clapson
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The strike in the distribution sector does not come out of the blue. Talks on an agreement in this sector have been at a standstill since September and employers remain deaf to workers' demands unions claim.
The main subject of discussion is a grant to compensate for dwindling spending power. "We want everybody to get at least 250 euros as well as the possibility to negotiate larger amounts in the companies that are doing well," says Steve Rosseel of the Christian trade union ACV.
Last Friday, the unions sat down with the employers for an eighth time, but once again failed to reach agreement. The employers' proposal now on the table amount to a grant of less than 150 euros for two thirds of workers unions say. "It’s about 10 euros a month. People say it’s not enough" Rosseel notes.
Fresh talks may take place next week, but the unions have little hope of a breakthrough. This explains why strikes are taking place today and also next Wednesday (22 November).
The unions are also threatening additional actions during the festive period. "If we have to meet over eight times to discuss a modest amount of money that isn’t being granted in many places, then we think it is high time to dispatch a signal to employers".
Empty shop shelves?
Industry federation Comeos is disappointed by the actions and says they are completely unreasonable. The federation points to the fact that the sector is under pressure: according to official figures, profit margins in Belgian supermarkets fell to an all-time low of 1.29 per cent last year.
Rosseel understands that the actions are not pleasant but remains firm: "It is indeed less than in previous years, but the years of the pandemic were absolute top years for the sector and we also see that large profits are being handed to shareholders. The staff now also want a share of the cake." He says the discussion is about "a modest amount": "Barely half a euro net per day for the next two years."
The strike actions are taking place at distribution centres across the country and shops and consumers will notice the impact. "The strike call has been followed from Roeselare to Turnhout, in Brussels and in Wallonia".
"It shows that our demands reflect what people believe on the shop floor. A lot of people have stayed away from work and that will lead to problems in the shops." A lot of deliveries are likely not to make it to the shops today and certain products will not end up on shop shelves.